Conflict Resolution Techniques: Question Your Assumptions

As I read about, study, and work to apply effective conflict resolution techniques, I see one common and overwhelming problem develop in workplaces, families, and social organizations. I see the same problem develop just about everywhere I see people interact. What is this huge problem? People make assumptions about other people’s intentions. Sadly, they often make wrong assumptions about the other person’s intentions. This behavior is so common and so prevalent, I have written about... [Read more]

DISC Model FAQ’s: Is One Style Better Than the Others?

Guy Answers the Question:Is One Style Better Than the Others? People often ask me if one DISC style is better than the others. My answer is, emphatically, NO! One DISC style is not better than the others. All of the DISC styles have value. All of the DISC behavioral styles contribute something to businesses and families. I would say that a particular behavior normally associated with any of the DISC styles can be either appropriate or inappropriate depending on the context and the situation. For... [Read more]

Why Your Natural Response to Conflict is Probably Wrong & What You Can Do About It

As I mentioned in my post about why conflicts escalate, bad things can happen when we perceive other people’s words or actions to be a threat to us in some way. As a result of this perception of threat, we often get angry. Then, we behave in ways that they perceive as a threat, and the conflict escalation cycle begins. Our natural responses to conflict often begin with this perception of threat. This perception triggers our “fight-or-flight” response, and our adrenal glands kick... [Read more]

DISC Model FAQ’s: Can Four Styles Really Describe Everyone?

Guy Answers the Question:Can Four Styles Really Describe Everyone? One question that frequently comes up when I teach the DISC model is this: “Can you really describe everyone with just four styles?” The short answer is: yes, you can describe all the behaviors and perspectives of all people using information revealed by understanding the four DISC style descriptors.* Sometimes people take exception to this simple answer. When they do, I usually get challenged with something like: “There... [Read more]

Daylight Savings Time Observations: We Tend to Go Negative

As I listened to the the news on both radio and television this Friday, nearly every mention of the switch to Daylight Saving Time brought on some mention of the “loss of one hour” we would experience on Saturday. It seemed that the entire focus during the time change weekend was on the loss. I don’t recall a single person speaking positively about the hour of daylight we would “gain” at the end of the normal business day. Then, I thought back to the switch from Daylight... [Read more]

“It’s cold in here” and Other Fighting Words

This post continues the thought I introduced in my last post – stating opinions as facts. I have noticed that people often state their ideas in a factual way when they are actually only opinions or perceptions. Here are some examples of perceptions stated as facts: “It’s cold (or hot) in here.” “The iPod (or some other brand) is the best mp3 player on the market.” “Ford (Chevy,Honda, etc) is the best car maker.” “Avatar (The Hurt Locker, The... [Read more]

Conflict Resolution Mistakes: Stating Opinions As Facts

I must confess, this is a bit of a pet-peeve of mine. I am okay with people having an opinion. I am okay with people whose opinion differs from mine. I just get a little frustrated when they state and defend their opinion as if it were a fact. I can accept it is a fact that they have an opinion. I just struggle with accepting their opinion as a fact when all they have to support it is their assertion that it is true. As I said in Why You Shouldn’t Take Conflict Resolution Advice From Politicians,... [Read more]